Our rugs are based on International sizing, which
measures the rug from the front of the chest fitting to the back.
With the new
designs (which have higher neck cuts for superior fit), it is recommended that
you order sizes as listed to avoid fitting problems.

If you do not have an existing rug to measure, you can measure your horse. The
measurement should be taken from the centre of the animal's chest (where the
front of the rug would meet), around the shoulder and along the side of the horse
in a continuous straight line to the point level with the top of the tail.

All of Valley Country's rugs are sized in graduations of 3 inches. Opposite is a general
guide of sizes, but this can vary depending on the breed of the horse and its
individual conformation. Valley Country can offer specific advice regarding the best
fit for your horse.

New Zealand Customers should note that these sizings are different to what you
are used to.
To convert NZ sizings to International sizings, add 1'3" to the sizings that you
are used to.
For example, if you usually use a NZ size 5'0", you will need a 6'3"
International size (as per the table).

Indicative Rug Sizes

Height of Horsein Hands

Rug Size
(Feet/Inches)

Rug Size
(cm)

9hh & Under

4'0"

122cm

9.2 - 10.0hh

4'3"

130cm

10.0 - 11.2hh

4'6"

137cm

11.2 - 12.0hh

4'9"

145cm

12.0 - 13.0hh

5'0"

152cm

13.0 - 14.0hh

5'3"

160cm

14.0 - 14.2hh

5'6"

168cm

14.2 - 15.0hh

5'9"

175cm

15.0 - 15.2hh

6'0"

183cm

15.2 - 16.0hh

6'3"

190cm

16.0 - 16.2hh

6'6"

198cm

16.2hh & Over

6'9"

206cm

Measuring your
Horse

The
most critical measurement is length - measure from the centre of the horse's
chest to the back of the rump (directly
down from the dock of the tail).

Second, measure from wither to dock.

And for the neck, measure from the front of the wither (where you want the top of the rug to
start) down the shoulder to a point level with the top of chest (where you want
the front of the rug to come up to). Ideally, you should also measure the
diagonal between these two lines, to indicate how open the neckline should be.

There are two other factors - the horse's height in
hands and its type (eg. Warmblood, solid, fine, thoroughbred, etc). Also,
do you expect the horse to grow any more?

A horse rug is like any other item of clothing - if it is removed when it is still wet or damp, it should be hung up in a dry, well ventilated area.

Occasionally, in heavy rain, some moisture penetration may occur in the sewn areas of the rug.
This is not significant and due to the positioning of the stitching (particularly on seamless rugs) will not affect the rug's performance.

The canvas rugs from Zilco are sewn using a specially developed cotton covered nylon thread.
This is designed to swell when wet to completely fill the stitch holes.
Occasionally, in heavy rain, some moisture penetration may occur.

Cleaning should be carried out by hanging the rug over a clothes line and washing with cold water.
DO NOT SCRUB or wash with detergents.
This can damage the waterproofing.